R3 State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program to STATE FISH AND GAME AGENCIES ONLY | Apply Online

R3 State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program (F12AS00027; CFDA 15.634) - FAQs

1) What is the R3 State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program?

The R3 State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program is a mandatory federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Its purpose is to provide federal funding to help states conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat, with a specific emphasis on species that are not traditionally supported by hunting and fishing programs.

2) Who is eligible to apply for SWG funding?

SWG funding is provided strictly to state-level fish and game agencies (state governments). The eligibility description includes state governments and eligible entities such as the District of Columbia and U.S. commonwealths and territories.

3) What is the main purpose of SWG funding?

The core purpose is to strengthen statewide conservation efforts that address a broad range of wildlife needs (not just game species) and to support work that aligns with statewide conservation priorities.

4) What kinds of projects does the SWG program fund?

The program funds two main categories of work: planning and implementation.

5) What qualifies as a planning project under SWG?

Planning projects must directly contribute to creating, updating, or modifying the state Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan, commonly called the Wildlife Action Plan. These planning efforts must be tied to the plan that states were required to submit by October 1, 2005. Any updates or modifications supported with SWG funding must be approved by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

6) What qualifies as an implementation project under SWG?

Implementation projects are on-the-ground or programmatic actions a state undertakes to carry out the strategies in its approved Wildlife Action Plan. This can include practical conservation measures aimed at improving habitat conditions, addressing threats, and supporting the recovery or stability of priority species, as long as the work is clearly connected to the plan.

7) Do projects have to be tied to a Wildlife Action Plan?

Yes. Planning projects must contribute to developing or updating the Wildlife Action Plan, and implementation projects must carry out strategies in the state’s approved Wildlife Action Plan. The connection to the plan is a core requirement described in the opportunity.

8) What are Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and how do they factor into SWG priorities?

A key expectation is that states prioritize Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). SWG funding is intended to be directed first toward species with the highest conservation needs, while also considering how much other funding is already available for those species.

9) How is SWG funding intended to be used alongside other funding sources?

The program description emphasizes that SWG dollars are designed to fill gaps where needs are greatest and alternative funding sources are limited, rather than duplicating work that is already well funded.

10) Is there a cost-share or matching requirement?

Yes. The opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning states must provide a non-federal match consistent with program rules. The summary provided does not specify the match ratio, but applicants should expect to contribute a portion of project costs and to document allowable match sources as part of the application and award management process.

11) Are wildlife education activities eligible for SWG funding?

Wildlife education activities are identified as not fundable as a primary purpose under this program. There is a narrow exception: education components may be included only when they are minor or incidental to the overall project, critical to the project’s success, directly contribute to conserving SGCN and their habitats, and remain consistent with development or implementation of the state’s Wildlife Action Plan.

12) Are law enforcement activities eligible for SWG funding?

Law enforcement activities are identified as not fundable as a primary purpose under this program. A law enforcement component may be included only if it is minor or incidental to the overall project, critical to the project’s success, directly contributes to conserving SGCN and their habitats, and is consistent with development or implementation of the state’s Wildlife Action Plan.

13) What is the risk if a proposal centers on education or enforcement?

The opportunity notes an important boundary for project design: proposals that center on education or enforcement, rather than conservation actions tied to the Wildlife Action Plan, risk being deemed nonresponsive.

14) When was this funding opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The listing shows it was posted on January 23, 2012, created on January 26, 2012, had a closing date of August 31, 2013, and was archived on December 31, 2013.

15) Does the listing specify estimated total funding or award sizes?

The listing shows estimated total funding and the award ceiling/floor as 0. This typically indicates that specific award amounts were not stated in the synopsis and would be determined through program allocations or guidance outside the summary record.

16) Where can applicants find more information or access the full announcement?

The additional information link points to http://www.grants.gov. The listing also notes that if applicants need the full announcement or have trouble accessing it through Grants.gov, they can use the contact information provided in the opportunity.

17) Who is the listed contact for this opportunity?

The listed contact was Abbey Kucera at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Phone: 612-713-5137. Email: abbeykucera@fws.gov.

18) Which agency administers the SWG program?

The program is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

19) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is F12AS00027 and the CFDA number is 15.634.

20) What does it mean that the SWG program is described as a mandatory grant program?

Based on the listing, the SWG program is described as mandatory. The summary itself does not provide additional detail on what “mandatory” means operationally, but it indicates the program is established and administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a required grant program framework rather than a purely discretionary one.